ALSO Youth

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A place where YOU belong 🌈
📍 Sarasota & Manatee Counties The types of services and numbers of youth and community members served have steadily increased.

ALSO Youth was created in 1992 by individuals who were alarmed at the statistics documenting high rates of suicide among gay and lesbian teens. In cooperation with other local organizations such as Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG); Planned Parenthood; and YMCA Youth and Family Services, volunteers were recruited to conduct a support group for Sarasota area youth. Upon realizing that more comprehensive services were needed throughout the community, ALSO’s founders initiated contact with school officials and implemented a training program for educators. Today, ALSO Youth is a non-profit organization that provides peer support services, educational programs, advocacy, and referrals for LGBTQ+ youth ages 10 to 24, their families and friends, and the community, thereby enhancing self-esteem, promoting healthy dialogue, and increasing awareness of sexual minority youth issues.

10/31/2026

What a fierce and fabulous evening! ✨

ALSO Youth was proud to join Equality Florida for last night’s 2026 Suncoast Celebration where we connected with our community and recognized those who are advancing equality.

Congratulations to this year’s honorees: Arthur Boyce & Louis DeCongelio, Shannon Fortner-Korley, and Tsunami and Hanami Restaurants!!!

A special congratulations to Jeffry Karasawa and Jason Klamson, whose recognition also celebrated the life and legacy of Samuel Ray. We are grateful for their continued support of ALSO Youth and our whole community. 🌸

Thank you to Equality Florida for bringing everyone together for a memorable evening. We are proud to stand alongside organizations and community leaders working to make Florida a welcoming and inclusive place for all!

🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🎉

10/29/2026

How do YOU carry pride forward?

We had a blast at Gulfcoast Pride, and it’s all because of volunteers like you! Thank you for giving your time and expertise to empowering LGBTQ+ youth and our allies. Together, we are building the strongest community.

Get involved today at AlsoYouth.org.

Thank you! 🌈

10/27/2026

WE CARRY PRIDE FORWARD 🌈

Thank you to Justyn Hunter-Ceruti M.Ed and the amazing Project Pride SRQ team for organizing Gulfcoast Pride this weekend!

Our Board Members, volunteers, and families were excited to host the FAMILY ZONE alongside Ability to Include, Inc. and YMCA of Southwest Florida.

More photos on our website!

10/22/2026

We’re hiring! 🌈 ALSO Youth is looking for a part-time Youth Programs Assistant to help build the space you wish you’d had.

If you have experience working with youth, bring warmth and good judgment, and are committed to affirming LGBTQ+ youth from all backgrounds, we want to hear from you.

📍 Sarasota & Bradenton
💵 $18–20/hr, ~20 hrs/week (afternoons, evenings & weekends)

Send your cover letter and resume today at AlsoYouth.org/Get-Involved. Questions? Email [email protected]

10/16/2026

Thank you to the 30+ community leaders, parents, and youth who joined our Sarasota Open House this past weekend to celebrate one year in our new Downtown home! 💛

It was great to see old friends and new faces learn about ALSO Youth’s history and growth. Missed it? Stop by anytime at 2195 Ringling Blvd.

10/11/2026

Coming out looks different for everyone. Some people come out early in life, others much later. Some come out more than once, as they discover and embrace different parts of who they are.

And for some, coming out isn’t safe or possible right now. That’s okay, too.

On National Coming Out Day, we celebrate those who are living openly and authentically, while also holding space for those who aren’t ready or able to share that part of themselves.

You don’t have to come out to be valid. You don’t owe anyone your story. And you deserve love, safety, and belonging exactly as you are. 🌈

10/08/2026

Thank you so much to Mike and Tropicana Brands Group PRIDE for their generous donation of delicious Tropicana juices and for volunteering with our youth. Together, we make each other stronger and create a more inclusive community!

If your company is interested in spreading joy and sponsoring one of our programs, scholarships, or events, please get in touch with us at [email protected].

10/05/2026

Smiles all around from the ALSO Youth crew! 😊🌈 Nothing brings them out quite like being surrounded by your community.

Come find your people at our Centers in Sarasota and Bradenton. Check out our Downtown Sarasota space during Open House October 10! 💫

Sign up on our website in bio.

10/02/2026

Inspired by the Emmy-Award winning short documentary of the same na...

10/01/2026

Some people want these books off the shelves. We want them in your hands! 📚🏳️‍🌈

Banned Book Club is a space for LGBTQ+ youth to read, talk, and connect over stories that have been challenged, removed, or pulled from shelves across Florida. Stories about people like us, written by people like us.

No homework, no pressure, no judgment. Just good books, good conversation, and snacks. Haven’t finished (or started) the book? Come anyway.

🗓️ Tuesday, October 6
🕡 6:30 to 8 PM
📍 Manatee Center

💻 Can’t make it in person? Email [email protected] for the virtual option.

Tag a friend who needs a book club that gets them 👇

Address

2195 Ringling Boulevard
Sarasota, FL
34237

Telephone

+19412547178

Website

http://alsoyouth.org/, https://www.alsoyouth.org/donate

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